Unity in Diversity: Shaheen Bagh Protesters Celebrate Lohri

On the night of January 13, a unique scene was witnessed in Shaheen Bagh, as Lohri — an important festival among Punjabis — was celebrated with much festivities at the protest site.

An indefinite sit-in has been continuing at Sarita Vihar-Noida highway near Shaheen Bagh in Southeast district of the national capital since December 15 against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA), the National Population Register (NPR) and the proposed National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).

At night, people along with members of the Sikh community gathered around the bonfire and threw til, puffed rice and popcorns into the flames of the bonfire. This was accompanied by dancing and singing of traditional folk songs.

“By organising this celebration here, we first want to give out a message that we are united in this fight against the discriminatory law. The government must roll it back. We strongly condemn it as it exhibits a bad intention of the government. At the same time, I along with my family and on behalf of the entire Sikh community extend best wishes of Lohri to everyone. We chose the protest site for the festival celebration because with an aim to send a loud and clear message that Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian are together and we always stand in solidarity with each other in testing times. When our mothers and sisters are sitting on the road, how can we celebrate festival at home,” DN Misra, a resident of Delhi who belongs to the Sikh community, told NewsClick.

“Despite the fact that it’s not time for celebrations,” he said, “we are celebrating with brothers of different faiths because we need to show them that festivities and celebrations will go on even in times of oppression.”

He stated the country has four strong pillars — Hindu, Muslims, Sikh and Christian. “Jains, Buddhist and Parsis are also there, but we first talk about the four pillars. If the head of a family of four takes a decision, which is unacceptable and hurts one of the four members, it is withdrawn to ensure integrity and unity of the family. I want to tell the government in clear terms that the new legislation (the CAA) is unacceptable to our Muslim brothers, who form one of the four pillars of the country. And therefore, it must be withdrawn without further delay,” he said.

Also read: Shaheen Bagh: Protesters to Open Route for School Buses, Agitation to Continue

Manpreet, another resident from Delhi and soon to become a medical doctor, said it is going to be the most “memorable” Lohris of her life. “When my father told me that we will celebrate Lohri at a protest site, I asked him why. He told me that he wants me to meet a new family. I was initially hesitant because of safety and other concerns. When we came here, I met my so many aunts, sisters and brothers. I realised that I am with my extended family. I could have never imagined about the big family I have got by going there. I felt as if I am celebrating the festival with the entire country. There are so many people. We danced together and extended best wishes. The love, affection and reception we got here is unimaginable for me. It is really a wonderful experience. It is going to be a memorable Lohri of my life. I thank my dad for such a wonderful Lohri gift. I also want to thank everyone here to appreciate my festival,” she said.

She said that she hopes Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolls back the new law so that they can reassemble at the same location for celebrations of victory.

The local residents said it appears as if Shaheen Bagh has become a place to celebrate different festivals together. They said they are proud to claim that the locality—which was long neglected and people had lot of misconceptions about the neighbourhood—has now emerged as real ‘Bharat’.

“We are celebrating various festivals together. Today, the Sikh community has made us realise that they are including us in their happiness in the same way as they stand by us in the times of sorrows. Celebrations, sloganeering and enjoying unity in diversity gives a strength to fight back. We wish that we will also celebrate the next Lohri together with all pomp and show. But that will not be the part of protest for sure,” said Shabeena appealing the government to protect this beauty of the country and let people live.

Sultan, a protester, also echoed the same adding that unity in diversity is the strength and beauty of this country and it must not be lost at any cost. “All the attempts to destroy our secularism and diversity must be crushed before hand,” he added.

Seeing a ray of hope in such celebrations, film director Onir tweeted, “Lohri in Shaheen Bagh. Many times I feel that this crisis is leading us to the lost things which we had forgotten in the circle of ‘I’ and ‘You’. I mean We are celebrating solidarity here. I hope that our places of worship will also open their doors for them and break the shackles of caste, religion, and gender.”

Also read: Shaheen Bagh: HC Leaves Clearance of Anti-CAA Protest Site to ‘Wisdom’ of Police

Lohri is considered important for newly-wed and the new born babies as it marks fertility. Traditional bonfire is lit as per religious rituals to mark the ending of winter and people offer prayers to Almighty for welfare of families and hoping for a better spring season.

Shaheen Bagh has become an epicentre of anti-CAA protests for a month now in the national capital. The sit-in, predominantly led by women, has forced the closure of arterial Delhi-Noida-Faridabad route.

The Delhi High Court, hearing a public interest litigation, on January 14 asked the police to try and find way to resolve the stand off keeping in mind the law and order situation and larger public interest. Following the court’s order, cops are now persuading the protesters to shift from the site. But, the demonstrators are not ready to move even an inch till the law is completely rolled back and the process of NPR is halted.

They admit and acknowledge the problem faced by people but argue that they have no other option but to agitate as it is a question of their existence and identity as a citizen of the country. They allege that the government is so “arrogant” that it is trying all tactics but is not ready to review its decisions.